FEA Handbook for Chapter Advisors

93 Pages·2008·1.34 MB·English

F.E.A. Handbook for
CHAPTER ADVISORS
Seventh Edition
Published and distributed by:
Future Educators Association Phone:[phone]
PDK International 800-766-1156
408 North Union Fax:[phone]
Bloomington,IN 47405-3800 Email:[email protected]
http://www.futureeducators.org
PDK International
Future Educators Association
408 N.Union Street • Bloomington,IN 47405-3800
800-766-1156 • E-mail:[email protected] •Website:www.futureeducators.org
Copyright ©2008 by Phi Delta Kappa International.All rights reserved.No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including
photocopy,recording,or any information-and-retrieval system,without prior written permission from
Phi Delta Kappa International.
Library of Congress Control Number:
ISBN 0-87367-543-6
Table of Contents
Introduction and acknowledgements
1. FAQ about FEA 3
2. How FEA is organized 5
3. How to start an FEA chapter 7
4. Sample chapter bylaws 13
5. Installation and initiation ceremonies for FEA chapters 19
6. Developing a yearly action plan 23
7. Activity and program ideas 29
8. How to promote a chapter and recruit new members 36
9. Budgets and fundraising 40
Resources for chapters
Appendix A. Leadership tips 47
Appendix B. Chapter committees 53
Appendix C. Competitions 58
Appendix D. Teacher recognition activities 59
Appendix E. Careers in education 63
Appendix F. Financial aid 65
Appendix G. FEA resources 70
Appendix H. Sample chapter forms 77

Introduction and
acknowledgments
PHI DELTA KAPPA,THE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION IN EDUCATION,serves as the national
coordinator for the programs of Future Educators Association and is privileged to provide the FEA
with an international office.That office is located in the international headquarters building of PDK in
Bloomington,Indiana.Phi Delta Kappa took on FEA in 1994 because of PDK’s commitment to stu-
dents and to the future of a noble profession  teaching.Phi Delta Kappa,founded in 1906,today has
nearly 70,000 members and a network of 640 chapters.
Phi Delta Kappa’s mission is to be a catalyst in bringing together every club or chapter in the middle
and high schools of our country that share our mission:the exploration of teaching as a viable career
option by students.PDK is not concerned with what these clubs or chapters call themselves.We are
only concerned with achieving our mission at the precollegiate level.
This revised manual represents a sixth edition in the development of FEA.Previous editions are dated
1989,1991,1993,1994,and 2001.In preparing this volume,we have attempted to communicate flexi-
bility,openness,and an awareness of America’s diversity.This manual is for teacher sponsors/advisors
of clubs and chapters.It is not intended to be prescriptive.Hopefully,it offers ideas and possibilities;we
want teachers,working with their students,to shape chapters to reflect needs identified by the stu-
dents and refined by knowledge from the profession.
This sixth edition reflects a few changes,and we gratefully acknowledge that the volume represents
contributions from the State of Florida and its Future Educators of America program.
As we anticipate growth in this program,we also pause to recognize the program’s history.We take
special note of the men and women recognized as founders.Recipients of the Founders Plaque
include Dr.Terence Garner,Dr.Betty Castor,Mr.Murray Sisselman,Dr.Peter Cistone,Ms.Sherry
Thomas,Mr.John Marshall,Mr.William Woolley,Dr.Geraldine Roberts,and Dr.Janet Towslee
Additionally,in 1992 Barbara Willis-Awoniyi was honored for her contributions to the establishment
of FEA in Florida and at the national level.She was instrumental in developing much of the content of
the national FEA Handbook.
Ten national education organizations have supported the development of the FEA program for a num-
ber of years.This group includes the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education,
American Federation of Teachers,Association of Teacher Educators,Council of Chief State School
Officers,National Education Association,National Alliance of Black School Educators,National
Association of Elementary School Principals,National Association of Secondary School Principals,
National Middle School Association,and the National School Boards Association.
Introduction and acknowledgments 1
We also take note of the support of several agencies,which have been key in FEA’s history.Among
this group are Council of the Great City Schools,Geraldine R.Dodge Foundation,Kappa Delta Pi,
National State Teachers of the Year,Recruiting New Teachers,Inc.,and Who’s Who in American
Education.
In closing,Phi Delta Kappa recognizes the significant leadership of Dr.Jan Towslee of Georgia on behalf
of the Future Educators Association.Dr.Towslee,working with PDK’s former executive director,
Lowell C.Rose,provided a smooth transfer of the program from her dissemination center in Atlanta
to PDK’s Bloomington office in 1994.
Phi Delta Kappa is optimistic about the possibilities this program offers.We solicit the cooperation of
other professional groups and the support of inservice and preservice educators throughout the
country.
2 Introduction and acknowledgments
1
FAQ about FEA
WHAT ISTHE HISTORY OFTHE FUTURE EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION?
During the first half of the last century,the National Education Association initiated a Future Teachers
of America program.Local chapters of that program still exist in a number of states.Similar efforts
also were made by various state departments of education,many local schools,and,most notably,by
Jan Towslee.As president of the Association of Teacher Educators,Towslee made the development of
Future Educators of America a priority.In 1994,Phi Delta Kappa International took the lead on FEA
and provided it with an international headquarters.In 2005,PDK changed the name to Future
Educators Association to more accurately reflect the international nature of the organization.
What is FEA’s mission?
As the only national precollegiate program for prospective teachers,FEA’s mission is to provide stu-
dents with opportunities to explore careers in education.We hope that through participation in an
FEA chapter,students will gain a realistic understanding of the nature of education and the role of the
teacher.
Who can become a member of FEA?
FEA members include high school students,junior high school/middle school students,chapter advi-
sors (usually teachers at the same school),and interested individuals in the field of education,including
school of education students,college faculty,and teacher educators.
How many FEA chapters are there?
FEA has approximately 1,000 chapters across the United States,England,Germany,Italy,Portugal,and
Spain.For a list of chapters by state and country,go to www.futureeducators.org.
What are the benefits of affiliating with FEA?
This national affiliation connects you to the national network of FEA chapters.FEA chapters receive
mailings from the international FEA office,including information about scholarship grants for prospec-
tive educators.The international office also maintains a roster of local chapters/advisors,disseminates
information from existing state-level programs,and facilitates networking among local chapters.
Chapters receive a discount registration price for the annual conference.
When and where is the next annual conference?
For up-to-date information about upcoming national conferences,check www.futureeducators.org.
Summaries of past conferences are also available there.A national conference includes inspiring speak-
ers,workshop sessions,and competitions for chapters and individual members.
FAQ about FEA 3
What are the goals of FEA?
The Future Educators Association shall:
• Strive to interest students in the field of education early in their school experience.
• Place a strong emphasis on the recruitment of future educators with diverse ethnic,racial,social,
and economic backgrounds.
• Strive to promote excellence in students interested in the teaching profession by promoting aca-
demic achievement,developing a positive self-image,and encouraging leadership responsibilities.
• Enhance the quality of the school’s educational program by fostering an appreciation for teaching
and contributing to the smooth operation of the school.
• Promote a positive image of education to students,parents,and the community and disseminate
information about the teaching profession.
• Encourage members to be positive role models in the school,the organization,and the community.
Why should a school establish an FEA chapter?
It is a way:
• For teachers to shape the future of the nation by shaping the future of the education profession.
• For teachers to have an opportunity to examine,clarify,and explain their role in students’ lives.
• For students to become knowledgeable about opportunities available through a career in
education.
• To attract capable candidates to the teaching profession.
• To encourage students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to enter the profession.
• For students to provide service to their school and community and enhance each student’s image
of teaching.
• To promote teaching as a challenging and rewarding profession.
• To provide linkages between the teaching profession and the community.
• To provide student/educator recognition.
• For students to be positive role models in their schools and communities.
• To build morale among those practicing in the profession.
• For local schools to share the responsibility of averting teacher shortages.
• To enhance and facilitate school and college/university relationships.
• To form a network at the local,state,and national levels for purposes of building the profession.
• To introduce young people to traditional and emerging concepts of schools and the teaching/learn-
ing process.
• To start young people on pathways to teaching,linking FEA chapters with other precollegiate and
collegiate teacher recruitment programs.
• To enhance student achievement by making more explicit the cognitive and pedagogic underpin-
nings of academic performance.
4 FAQ about FEA
2
How FEA is
organized
THE FEA ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE EXISTS ATTHREE LEVELS: the international office,
state programs (where they exist),and local chapters.
The international office of the Future Educators Association assumes responsibility to:
1. Provide information on ordering handbooks,flyers,charters,and promotional items.
2. Provide information for annual national conferences and those held at the several state levels (if
information is provided through newsletters and conference fliers).
3. Coordinate information exchange by working directly with other professional associations/organi-
zations related to FEA activities by:
• maintaining an international roster of local chapters and local advisors.
• receiving information from state programs,where they exist.
• facilitating networking among local chapters and state level programs.
FEA programs at the state level exist in states such as Florida,Georgia,Kentucky,Mississippi,and Texas.
These programs provide an additional layer of support to FEA local chapters and often hold their own
statewide conferences and camps.In those states,students can also run for statewide FEA office.
For local chapters,the building principal and the teacher advisor are the two key figures.The principal
promotes the establishment of FEA chapters and encourages ongoing activities.The principal may
demonstrate his or her commitment to the program by providing guidance for the establishment and
maintenance of the FEA chapter in the school.The principal can establish a committee to select the
best-qualified teacher as an FEA advisor,and he or she can work with the advisor to develop appro-
priate activities and materials.
The principal can also help by:
• Maintaining lines of communication with district administrators regarding FEA chapters.
• Contacting college/university and professional organizations to work with the chapter advisor and
students.
• Establishing opportunities for students to work with other teachers and in mentoring programs.
• Ensuring that charter,awards,etc.are appropriately displayed in the school.
The teacher advisor/sponsor provides key professional leadership to the local chapter by monitoring
the implementation and maintenance of policies and rules set forth in the constitution and bylaws,
serving as a role model and mentor for chapter members,attending local,state,and national meetings
related to coordination of FEA chapters,and encouraging chapter officers to assume their respective
leadership roles.
How FEA is organized 5